In-dashboard airbag flap arrangement comprising a tie having overmolded elements

Abstract

The invention relates to an inflatable airbag arrangement in a motor vehicle dashboard, the arrangement comprising a flap ( 4 ) hinged to a dashboard body ( 2 ) to open when on inflation of the airbag, and having a linear tie ( 1 ) therein fastened to the flap ( 4 ) and to the dashboard body ( 2 ). According to the invention, additional elements ( 21 to 26 ) are overmolded on the tie ( 1 ), each overmolded additional element ( 21 to 26 ) having a specific outside shape that engages in a corresponding housing in the flap ( 4 ) and/or in the dashboard body ( 2 ), the tie ( 1 ) being put into position in the airbag arrangement by the additional elements ( 21 to 26 ) being engaged in the corresponding housings in the flap ( 4 ) and in the dashboard body ( 2 ).

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An inflatable airbag flap arrangement in a motor vehicle dashboard, the arrangement comprising a flap hinged to a dashboard body in order to open when the airbag is inflated, and a linear tie fastened to the flap and to the dashboard body in order to limit the amplitude of the movement of the flap when it opens, the arrangement being characterized in that additional elements are overmolded along portions of the tie, these portions of the linear tie being embedded in the material of the additional elements, said overmolded additional elements having specific outside shapes suitable for being snap-fastened in corresponding housings rigidly secured to the flap and/or to the dashboard body, wherein the tie is positioned in the airbag arrangement and is fastened to said arrangement by snap-fastening of the additional elements in the corresponding housings. 
     
     
       2. An arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the additional elements is overmolded along at least one portion of the tie and has an outside shape that co-operates with the shape of the housing that receives it to hold the position and the direction of the tie locally. 
     
     
       3. An arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the additional elements is overmolded along at least one portion of the tie and has an outside shape with one or more snap-fastener prongs for snap-fastening in the corresponding housing. 
     
     
       4. An arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the additional elements is overmolded along at least one portion of the tie and has an outside shape including one or more ribs for enabling said element to be bonded by welding to the housing in which it engages. 
     
     
       5. An arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the tie is a linear tie forming a single closed loop. 
     
     
       6. An arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the tie constitutes a single closed loop, having its ends secured to each other by stitching. 
     
     
       7. An arrangement according to  claim 1 , having a firing channel rigidly secured to the dashboard body and surrounding the flap, wherein the flap includes a flap body and flap reinforcement rigidly secured to each other, and wherein the tie is fastened to the dashboard body and/or to the flap by the additional elements overmolded on the tie and snap-fastened in corresponding housings formed in the firing channel and/or in the flap reinforcement, which firing channel and flap reinforcement are rigidly secured respectively to the dashboard body and to the flap body. 
     
     
       8. A motor vehicle fitted with an arrangement according to  claim 1 .